Affordable pickups that compare favorably to SSLs, Custom 69's, Fat 50's...?

[Elephone]

Looking for lower cost recommendations for AlNiCo pickups that compare very well to these expensive brands... obviously your opinion!

Do any really match up to SSLs, Fender Custom 69's, or Fender Fat 50's...? Looking for classic late 60's sound on USA Strat and/or USA Tele.

(It's not really about whether "I'm happy with them" because I don't have guitars with different pickups to make comparisons between, I just know I prefer AlNiCo to Ceramic from comparisons I've heard online. So, for all I know, I might be happy with a pickup, but not realise that I'd be more impressed by ones I haven't got access to.)

Thank you!

[SecretSam]

Bareknuckle do a Boot Camp range - hand made from about 40 quid per pickup. Haven't tried them, but the reviews are good.

[John Egan]

I have tried pickups from bothe Brandoni in Wembley (if they are still around) and Stewmac in the States. Both have given me good results, and I would use them again. The Bareknuckle Boot Camp range that Sam mentions do sound interesting, though.
Regards, John

[adrian_k]

Cat’s Whisker pickups will build exactly what you want and he is very reasonably priced. I haven’t bought any myself but have seen and played a number of both SC and HB and always been impressed with the quality of work and sound.
http://www.catswhiskerpickups.co.uk/index.htm

[Hewesy]

Iron Gear pickups would be worth a look, or IronStone (oddly similar names...)

Wilkinson not as cheap as they were but also good.

Hewesy

[doompalm]

You may want to investigate Vineham Pickups from Newfoundland, Canada. http://www.vineham.com/

I have several of his humbuckers and P90's and his work is excellent and he's willing to work with you. Even with postage from Canada to the UK, the exchange would make it an *excellent* deal.

Cheers...